Camera Shopping - Help Needed

I am in the market to buy a new camera. Only I don't know what camera to buy. I want one that will reach out and capture those Lighthouses offshore!!! OK, I know that it can't be done. But I want the best that I can do...with what money I have to spend. At present I am looking at a Nikon D50 with a 70 - 300 lens.

What are your opinions on this camera?

Is there something else that is comparable in price that you think is a better camera for my needs?

Please make suggestions!

Hello

I just got a D70S (the model right up from the D50) over the holidays. I absolutely love it! The feel of the D70S compared to the D50 was just "better" for me. It also has three upgraded features from the D50. Recently there was price drop.

In relation to a lens though, make sure you spend good money! The 70-300 is ok but the quality of the 70-200mm is excellent (but I haven't been able to save up).

WIth all that being said, some of my favorite photos are taken with my old Nikon 5400 (an older digital, non-slr camera).

I recommend you take a feel of the D50 and the D70S and see which one has the right feel for you.

Enjoy!

Jeff

Stephanie, you want lots and lots of zoom at a reasonable price you may want to consider one of the compact zoom cameras. There are a number of brands that now have a 12x optical zoom - that works out to about 420mm. A number of them include built in image stabilization. They range in price from around $350 and up. You can get them in 5MP and higher resolutions. Panasonic, Kodak, Nikon are some that make these cameras.

I have had a Nikon D-70 for almost two years and love it. Great pictures and not that hard to use. However, my "back up" is a Panasonic FZ-1 with a 12x zoom. This camera is about 3 years old and only a 2.1MP one (though it produces a very acceptable 8x10). They are up to 5 or 6 MP now.

The way you travel, a "one piece" camera that is compact in size may produce excellent results. It will give you the reach you desire without having to spend the $$ buying expensive glass for a SLR. I'm not trying to downplay the SLR choice, but I am a big believer in getting what works for what you want. The current crop of the compact digital cameras (sometimes referred to as EVF cameras - Electronic View Finder) are most excellent.

Here are some web sites you might visit to help confuse you to no end with all the cameras that are available!

www.steves-digicams.com/default.htm

www.dpreview.com

www.photographyreview.com

Stephanie,
I have a Cannon Power Shot S2. Had it almost a year now. It is 12X optical and 4X digital (500mm). Takes great pictures.
On a trip last year to Hawaii with other NELL members, it got nicknamed 'The Magic Camera' Because of the distance of the zoom. It's compact and very easy to use. Can plug it right into the TV to see what you have taken, downloads to the PC in no time at all and has many other features that I have yet to try.
They are also coming down in price and I believe you can pick one up now for under $400.00.
HCS

I have the S1 IS, the predecessor to the S2 (now replaced by the S3). Since I got it in June 2004, it's probably taken 4000 shots. I've never had a problem with it.

You can get a superzoom for around $400-500. The new S3 IS is 6MP - only .2 less than the D50 - and has more zoom than the 300mm lens you'd be looking at. and compared to the $800+ for the D50, the S3 IS is $500 from Amazon, and the outgoing S2 IS (only big diff is 5Mp/S2 vs 5MP/S3) is $359.94.

You may really want to consider something like them. To get the same kind of range of capabilities with an SLR would require a HUGE investment, and you'd have a lot of stuff to deal with. SLRs are great cameras, but I think that there's sometimes a better value in a superzoom-type camera for certain purposes.

Just MHO...

Shortcake,
Keep in mind though a Point & Shoot camera may have the range you want and some nice bells and whistles, once you buy it, it can't be upgraded. What you have is what you have. Also be careful when the say 12x. Sometimes they mean 12 times 50mm (considered normal eye view) which would give you 600mm and sometimes they mean 12 times the wide angle of the camera. If its 28mm, then your longest focal length is 12x28mm=336mm. Also avoid Digital Zoom. Optical Zoom is what matters, digital just blows up pixels.

With a DSLR, you can always get bigger, faster lenses, flashes, macro lenses, etc. DSLRs are much more flexible and allow you to grow as a photographer. The down side is your gear will be more expensive and WON'T fit on you pocket.

FYI: I have a D2H & D100.

Shortcake, I was in Hawaii with Hilari and what she says is fact. I have the Canon digital Rebel EOS. I find it very comfortable in my hands and very simple to use. I have a 18 - 200mm (around 300mm digital)lens and a 75-300mm with image stabilize (about 420 mm digital) and Hilari's camera blew my tele away on the real long shots. The new Canon Digital Rebel is 2 more mega pixels than mine making it around 8. something. Hope all these answers help in your decision making.Good luck.

Check out Consumer Reports, if you can, Stephanie. Many of the recommendations made to me by some very talented photographers in the forums are ranked very highly. May help you make a final decision.

Stephanie,

I looked long and hard for a new camera and finally bought one after using Dave's a bit on the LI Lighthouse challenge last year.

I got the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 which is a 5 megapixel camera with a 12X optical zoom ( 36-462 35mm equivelant). It has an onboard stabilizer and fits in one hand.

I've taken about 4000-5000 photos with it and I'm very pleased. The battery lasts a good bit of time (but since it's a proprietory one you need a backup ready).

I bought a 1 gigabyte card as well as a 512 and had plenty of room on my trip last Summer that lasted almost 3 weeks. I just edited the shots every night. (I still came back with about 800 photos).

I'm definetly with those that feel a good digital with a 10-12X optical zoom will fit your needs very well with out having to lug around a lot of equipment- you could do more with the digital bodies that take different lenses but if you want a good mesh of simplicity with the ability to get a good picture of that lighthouse a mile or so off shore the one piece is the best way to go. IMHO

Basically there are probably dozens of cameras that will fit your bill- try and get the models you are most interested in your hands if possible and take some photos with them if you can and go from there. The sites Dave gave you can help shift through the masses.

Dennis

Geee Lots to think about here! I may have to re-think my plans to buy that D50. I always thought bigger is better, but most of you are telling me otherwise.

A compact size would be much better for me than to lug that big thing around. And after all I am not or will I ever be a photographer... I just want good pictures!!!

Thank you all for your help!

Stephanie, I'll make your choice even harder. Check out this website for side by side comparison features, as well as consumer input.

DPreview Side by Side

I have a Nikon D50, and my husband has the D70. We love our respective cameras! I'm still learning all the features and how to get the best pictures I can, but I've been pleased with the results so far.

I have the D70 and love it more and more. I also have a point and shoot 8 meg to keep in my pocket. I like to look through a veiw finder better than using the back screen to take a picture. The battery on the D70 goes for ever.

Which point and shoot 8 meg do you have Fran?

I bought the Nikon coolpix p3 It has the VR for shaky hands on a boat.

I am going with the Panasonic which Dave recommended and which recommendation was reiterated by Dennis on this thread. There were a couple of other cameras which were recommended by some of my lighthouse "buddies" and all rated equally well according to Consumer Reports. However, I eliminated the others either because of price, weight, a little bit of difference in delay. I ordered online so that I could add to my SkyMiles and have to wait for delivery - I had hoped to do an in-store pickup.

My camera arrived today!! I am so excited. I am reading the manual and will start shooting away once it's finished charging. I have to practice a lot between now and Tidewater. Too cool! BTW, it was a pretty good deal since all the new cameras are arriving. Good time to get one.

Grace,
Once you get used to your new camera, we hope to see some of your photos here.
Congrats and enjoy!
HCS

Grace,

I think you will be very happy with your choice. It's a great camera.

Dennis

Happy shooting Grace.

Dennis, after a lot of research, I was convinced this was the one for me. Dave's recommendation got me started on the right track and your additional comments just helped reinforce it. Up until now, I have used only 35 mm and am very excited about this change. So far, so good. Can't wait to get some lighthouse shots on the Tidewater trip!

Grace said: Hey Grace... congratulations on the new camera!
How about practising on your kanine friends?
Mischka is a willing victim... eh... subject ... She loves the attention she gets, when I want a picture!

It's a wonderful thing when you get a new camera. Digital photography is the greatest thing! You can shoot hundreds of shots at basically no expense, and then keep only the special pics.

Now we will all patiently wait for some fantastic pics from your expertise with the new camera. This is a great place to display your work! We're waiting!

Bob

Grace, reading the book may be your biggest challenge....it was for me.

I know what you mean. When I got my new digital I gave up on the book and just kept trying diffent things. The book proved more complicated than actually working the camera!
HCS

Margret, my girls usually won't hold still although I have captured some good shots with my daughter's digital camera in the past, including the one I hope to send your Sue to paint someday.

Sue (Mombo), I know what you mean about reading books and manuals. I am strictly a kinesthetic person so I really prefer to just practice but there is so much to learn about this camera that I do have to refer to the book.

As for posting pictures, we will have to see. Sometimes the forums takes a big chunk out of my time and I am trying to watch that. However, I really enjoy everybody else's pictures and should share mine - one of these days.

... but that is the beauty of digital cameras. It costs nothing to just shoot away ... and if they moved ... never mind ... delete the picture and try again later ...

Have fun and I hope you enjoy your camera as much as I do mine!

I had to cut down on computer time too. I was spending too much time sitting here and enjoying the CF :rolleyes: